Is Life Worth Living?

INSTEAD of asking for a review of this book, specially for these pages, we quote the following newspaper criticisms, in the order in which they have appeared:

"Mr. Clifford, the well-known minister of Westbourne-Park and Praed-Street Chapels, and last year's President of the Baptist Association, has been induced to issue, in a collected form, his remarkable sermons on the somewhat grim inquiry, 'Is Life Worth Living?' Mr. Clifford evidently has good advisers, and, he has done well to comply with their wishes by sending out these discourses in their present shape. He has gained the ear of a very large following in London and the provinces, whose discipleship has claims he would not willingly underrate, and who on their part would like to know what he has said at Westbourne Park on the theme in question, which is certainly none the less real and practical. for having been thrust forward, anent Mr. Mallock, into a somewhat grotesque and garish publicity. We shall not be doing injustice to the pulpit generally if we premise that there are very few, even among our preachers of repute, who are capable of dealing with the subject on the level which would be chosen for a discussion upon it in average cultivated society. It would be hard to make them see sufficient reality in the enquiry to lead them fairly and conscientiously to examine it. The majority are, and perhaps must be, wanting in the disposition, the culture, and, above all, the personal psychological experience which enables a man to see more than one side of such a question as this. It is true that the present propounders of the question, 'Is Life Worth Living?' are not all modern Solomons; it is equally true that the views of life which came in exceptional moods to such leaders of men as Moses and Elijah, and are iterated and reiterated so absolutely in the Book of Ecclesiastes, are as strong for the mere humanist as ever they were, and probably stronger. It is the prerogative of only a few men in these days so to efface the ego, to suppress all resentful outbreaks, and to give the answer of a well annealed spiritual life and temper and adequate knowledge of the subject which shall gain the ear of the men they differ from. Moreover, it is not every man's business to know both sides of a question, although it might be retorted that this is none the less a limitation on the power of influencing others. Especially is it a limitation to influence in the pulpit. Mr. Clifford shows his fitness for the task he has undertaken by the ideal of life he sets before us in these pages, and by his power of entering into the phases and moods which are at the root of the question he so ably answers. This he does in the course of eight sermons. Of these we have been most struck with 'The Answer of Moses,' 'The Verdict of Solomon,' 'The Sufferings of Life,' and What Makes Life Poor?' These, and indeed all the sermons, are marked by an unusual wealth of intellectual culture and range of communion with the best minds, and, above all, by the stamp of a personal and hard-won experience in the wide field over which his subject takes him. The reader feels the unspeakable assurance that the author is living among the conditions which qualify him for his task, and enable him to offer to others the help and strength he has acquired for himself. Nothing less than this would satisfy the requirements of the subject; but the task was voluntary, and exacting in the highest degree, and success in such a cause is to be judged accordingly. We recommend our readers to test our estimate of these sermons by getting the volume for themselves. It will certainly last their time, and their personal necessities. It will be many years before the subject outgrows the capacious intellectual and psychological treatment it has received at the hands of Mr. Clifford.”Bayswater Chronicle, August 15th.

"It is a book for all ages of readers. The old man will find in its pages kindly allowance and explanation made for his regretted failures; the man bearing life's heat and burden will find strength and encouragement in its manly utterances for the prosecution of his apparently unproductive labours; and the young men and maidens who may, in this age of flimsy novelettes and other species of gew-gaw literature, be persuaded to peruse its contents, will not fail to find the highest form of good counsel, without a spark of cant or a depressing element of asceticism."-Leicester Free Press, August 25th, 1880.

Is Life Worth Living? An Eightfold Answer. By JOHN CLIFFORD, M.A., LL.B., B.Sc. Marlborough and Co., Old Bailey, and Griffith and Co., 58, Porchester-road, W. Price 1s. 6d.

'Manly and powerful utterances, free from all conventionalism in style, and from all maudlin sentiment; we cannot recall one phrase in which the most delicate-scented opponent could detect the suspicion of "cant." Nor is there any tendency to pooh-pooh the difficulties which encompass an affirmative answer. Mr. Clifford's exposition of Solomon's verdict is a piece of able criticism on the scope and argument of Ecclesiastes. A very tender chapter is that on the " Meaning and Mystery of Pain"-sympathetic, helpful, and not unwisely condolent. Christian sufferers will find in it a welcome message. Such sermons are peculiarly fitted for the times-would have been a decided loss to many had Mr. Clifford's own congregation alone reaped the benefit of them."— Baptist, August 27th, 1880.

"A series of thoughtful and eloquent discourses. The various points are discussed with a thoroughness, an earnestness, and a power which leave nothing to be desired. Mr. Clifford possesses a full knowledge of the various and conflicting utterances of modern culture, and finds in them a witness-often, indeed, unconscious, but none the less decisive-for Christ. His words come from an honest, brave, and manly heart. They are aglow with the fire of a generous enthusiasm, and carry conviction to every intelligent and candid reader. For young men a book like this is simply invaluable. Wherever it is known it will be appreciated, and those who appreciate it for themselves can scarcely be content without commending it to others. Such a work cannot be too widely known. It is a capital example of preaching to the times-the preaching which is sorely needed, and, therefore, most likely to be of real use." -Freeman, Sept. 3rd, 1880.

Evidently written by one who is living in the same world of science, and philosophy, and history, and poetry, as that in which our doubts and suspicions have come to us. Mr. Clifford makes us feel that he is battling not with our fathers' difficulties, but with ours, and the weapons he employs have the form and fashion of our own time. In him we meet with one who makes modern thought help us out of modern doubt-he brings us nearer, not to a cold theology, but to a real and loving Saviour. To all who are in quest of the chief good-and to young men especially-these sermons cannot fail to be both satisfying and stimulating."-Sunday School Chronicle, Sept. 10th.

"Mr. Clifford unites a rare power of popular exposition to richly varied scholarship, breadth of view, and of sympathy to evangelical fidelity and fervour. The work deserves, as we have no doubt it will secure, a wide circulation.”Greenock Daily Telegraph.

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Thoroughly orthodox, but no less scholarly in substance and sympathetic in tone, as well as popular in form, it is admirably adapted for distribution among the modern race of doubters."-North British Daily Mail.

Chilwell College, Nottingham.

THE Annual Soirée, inaugurating the Session, was held on Tuesday, September 14th, and was fairly attended, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather.

The President (Rev. T. Goadby, B.A.) and the students received the company, and through the kindness of Mrs. Pearson her nurseries and gardens were thrown open, and many availed themselves of the permission to inspect them. After tea and coffee in the library, the Rev. J. Maden, President of the Association, took the chair, and the Rev. S. S. Allsop offered prayer. The Chairman welcomed the company, especially the President of the College, on his safe return from America, and called the attention of the students to the magnitude of their ministerial work. Rev. T. Goadby, B.A., referred to his attendance at the great Centennial Meeting in America, compared the Colleges in England with those in the States, and solicited more ardent interest and devoted effort in the work at home. J. Clifford spoke on the talking function of the preacher, and showed the necessity of character, drill, and keen insight for effective eloquence. Rev. J. J. Fitch followed on the need of an educated ministry. The Treasurer, Mr. T. W. Marshall, of Loughborough, moved a vote of thanks to the President and speakers, and to Mrs. Clark, Misses Tetley, Rev. W. H. Tetley, and Mr. Warren, for their highly skilled musical contributions to the pleasures of the evening. This was seconded by Mr. Baldwin, of Loughborough, and was heartily carried. After an expression of joy at the success of the soirèe by Rev. W. Evans, the Secretary, the company separated with the doxology and benediction.

Progress at Sucknall Torkard, Notts.

ON Wednesday, August 11th, 1880, we baptized twelve persons, after a sermon from the words, "In keeping of them there is great reward." Five of the twelve belong to the Salvation Army, and two to another denomination. What gave an additional interest to the occasion was the fact that a Captain of the Salvation army was among the number, and that she gave a short, but a very plain, and pointed, and tender address, explanatory of her reasons for attending to the ordinance, and urging all, who had not, to yield their hearts to Jesus. The occasion, I believe, was felt by most, if not all, to be a very impressive, and at the same time, delightful one. We have enjoyed a wonderful revival of the Lord's work in Hucknall. During the last seven months hundreds have been "turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God," and amongst them some of the worst characters of the town. Some of the oldest inhabitants have gratefully acknowledged that they have never known anything like it. The moral aspect of the place is immensely altered for the better. In looking back upon the successes of the past seven months, we often ask in grateful surprise, "What hath God wrought?" and gratefully acknowledge, "It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.' Numbers have given up their dog-racing, and pigeon-flying, and their connection with the musical band. Clubs have been removed from public-houses to neutral places, and great numbers have abandoned their drinking habits, and are now spending, on the improved furnishing of their houses, and clothing of themselves and wives and children, what they had been accustomed to spend in a public-house. connection with our own church, during the last seven months we have baptized 121, and restored eight, and many more who had backslidden in heart, and whose spiritual life had become icy cold, have returned to more than their 'first love," and have had "restored to them the joy of salvation." Twelve of the 121 belong to other denominations, and retain their fellowship with them; the other 109 are in fellowship with the Baptist church here. The addition to the church from all sources is 130. Allow me to ask your readers to "rejoice with us," and to pray that our new and inexperienced converts may hold fast "the beginning of their confidence," and "the rejoicing of their hope firm unto the end." W. CHAPMAN.

Bay Preachers in Leicestershire.

In

THE twelfth annual Conference was held at Rothley, August 23rd. Mr. G. Burden presided, and read his paper on " Lay Preachers, their weakness and strength." His chief points were-first, their deficiency of research in the scriptures; their limited acquaintance with science; and their want of observing nature. Secondly, the strength of lay preachers lay in their earnestness and zeal; their freer intercourse with the world than is experienced, generally, by the stated ministry; and their self-denial. He concluded by observing that the England of to-day owed much of her love of justice, and a desire for civil and religious liberty, to that self-denying band of labourers whose untiring energies, consecrated devotion, and exalted enthusiasm have made themselves heard in the rural temples of our land, and whose fervent utterances for God and humanity are listened to with pleasure and profit by the congregations amongst which they live and labour. Messrs. H. Hammond, J. Mee, T. Hunt, T. Waldram, J. Parkinson, and W. Linney spoke, and it was resolved, "That the best thanks of the meeting be given to the President for his excellent and practical address." Mr. J. Mee proposed, Mr. A. Lythall seconded, and Messrs. E. Smith and J. Parkinson supported, the following resolution, "That this meeting desires to express its hearty concurrence in the efforts being made to close public-houses on the Sabbath, believing that the measure, if adopted by the Legislature of this country, will tend to reduce pauperism and crime, and enhance the moral, social, and religious welfare of the people." After tea, an open-air service was held, conducted by Mr. W. Linney. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. E. Smith and A. Lythall. The evening meeting was presided over by Mr. Thos. Hunt. The Secretary, Mr. A. Lythall, read the report, and addresses were delivered by Messrs. G. Lovett, H. Hammond, W. Hutchins, A. Lythall, G. Loyley, J. Smith, and T. Waldram. The meeting was a most successful one.

Scraps from the Editor's Waste-Basket.

I. BACK TO WORK.-The holidays are over, and once more we are in front of our winter's work, freshened in spirit, strengthened in body, and resolved to do our best for our God and Saviour, and the souls He still comes to seek and to save. The years are swiftly passing on. Eternity draws near. Work presses. Let us toil as those in real earnest; each bent on doing his little bit of work with all his heart and head. Drive off indolence. Trample on the very head of the serpent of selfishness. Let yours be the Baptists motto, "He must increase, not I." Suppress the ego. Enlarge and expand the Christ. The world needs loving and devoted work. Pastors, elders, deacons, local preachers, Sunday school teachers, workers all, let us pray for and aspire to the maximum of efficiency for work, of zeal and devotion in work, and of success from work.

II. GENERAL BAPTIST ALMANACK AND DIRECTORY FOR 1881.-Preparing for Publication. Secretaries of Conferences, Local Preachers Associations, and Churches, will greatly oblige by communicating to the Editor, 51, Porchester Road, W., as early as possible, any information they have for next year. A capital Portrait of our friend, Mr. Thos. Cook, the world-famous Excursionist, will appear in its pages. Ready Oct. 25, with the magazines.

III. OUR CHEAP EDITIONS OF THE HYMNAL are now ready, and therefore every church is left utterly without excuse in adopting it forthwith. The Publication Board has catered for everybody's pocket, and everybody's eyes. We have a good edition for EIGHTPENCE; and we will give three times the amount to anybody who can show us how to spend eightpence better than in the purchase of this unequalled collection of refreshing, stimulating, and inspiring song. Look at the advertisement!

IV.

DO NOT GET A NEW HYMN BOOK FOR YOUR SUNDAY SCHOOLS till you have seen ours. The Publication Board has just sent it to press, and it is expected to be ready in December. If you want a really good S. S. Hymnal, wait till this is ready. We are printing 50,000; and have no doubt it will soon find a place in all our schools and homes.

V. "CAPS TO SPARE."-More complaints are to hand about the late arrival of the Year Book, on which the Secretary

writes that it is as aggravating to him as to the "old deacon" in Yorkshire not to see the Year Book till "the middle of Aug." He says his work was done, and a promise was made by the printer that it should be out on August 1st. After that the blame rests elsewhere. To get it out at the latest by the middle of July" would result in a still worse grumble. There would then be a number of "old deacons," and of "other churches," complaining that the Secretary had omitted their reports-such reports having been duly sent in a fortnight beyond the proper time.

VI. VISITORS TO THE UNION MEETINGS will find convenient and comfortable accommodation at Housden's, advertised in our columns; or the West Central Temperance Hotel, 97, 99, Southampton Row, Russell Square, W.C.

VII. NAZEBOTTOM.-Our readers will do well to give a practical turn to their sympathy with village church work by helping our friends at Nazebottom in the effort to clear the debt off their chapel. The advertisement tells their case well. Not a few of our friends ought to aid this good work. The members have a whole parish to themselves, and are active and zealous.

VIII. THE REV. STOPFORD BROOKE has not done much by going over to the ranks of the Unitarians. He is merely honest. It does not mark a high tide of religious achievement that we can exult over his exodus from the State Church, for honesty is only a very elemental Christian virtue. Fidelity to conviction used to be a "first-fruit" of the Spirit of Christ; and it will have to regain its place before Christianity will be clothed with its original power. To be standing by creeds we do not believe, and clinging to churches whose "recognized faith" we inwardly disavow, seems to us ineffably mean, and indescribably shameful in Christian men. "An honest man is the noblest work of God." The parentage of the dishonest man is not difficult of proof. The churches will have to separate themselves from a whole continent of traditional errors, or else be buried underneath them. Let us be honest. We had better lose Queen's chaplaincies, cathedral edifices, position and place, fame and gain, than part for one moment with the fair jewel of our honesty. A baptism into downright honesty, and thoroughgoing reality, would be new life to the church of Christ. O that we might receive it now.

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